INTERNATIONAL
Bangladesh Court Disqualifies
Jamaat-e-Islami Party
On 1 August a Bangladesh court has disqualified the country’s largest Islamic
party from taking part in the next general election.The High Court panel ruled
that the opposition Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami party’s regulations violate the
constitutional provision of secularism.
Robert Mugabe Re-elected As
President Of Zimbabwe
On 3 August Zanu-PF (Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front), the
political party of the incumbent President Robert Mugabe has won the Presidential
election of Zimbabwe .Mugabe won 61 percent of the vote against the 34 percent
won by the Morgan Tsvangirai, the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe of Movement for
Democratic Change (MDC) party.With this win, Mugabe has won his seventh term to
the office of the President of Zimbabwe .Robert Mugabe is one of the leaders of
the guerrilla movements against white-minority rule of Zimbabwe and was elected
to power in 1980.
China Built Port Terminal Opens
In Sri Lanka
On 5 August Sri Lanka’s President, Mahinda Rajapakse declared open the new
International Container Terminal of the Colombo harbour.The $500 million
Colombo International Container Terminal (CICT) was built by China Merchants
Holdings.The new South Port is the only harbor in South Asia that can accommodate
the Triple-E Class vessels.85-pct of the investment is by CICT and the
remaining 15-pct has been funded by the by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority.
Ibrahim Boubacar Keita Elected As
New President of Mali
On 12 August Former Prime Minister Ibrahim Boubacar Keita was elected as
President of Mali.He won the Mali’s Presidential elections , after his opponent
and Ex-Finance Minister Soumaïla Cisse, conceded defeat. He was Prime Minister
of Mali from 1994 to 2000 and President of the National Assembly of Mali from
2002 to 2007. He founded a political party, Rally for Mali (RPM), in 2001 and
he has led the party since then. In addition to serving in the National
Assembly, Keita was a member of the Parliament of the Economic Community of
West African States.
Britain Parliament Votes Against
Possible Military Action In Syria
On 29 August the Britain Parliament rejected a proposal for military action in
Syria .By a 285 to 272 margin British MPs rejected the government’s motion to
support in principle military action against Syria.
INDIA & WORLD
India Signs DTAC protocol with
Morocco
On 8 August India signed a Protocol amending the India – Morocco Double
Taxation Avoidance Convention (DTAC) in New Delhi .The Protocol was signed by
Dr Sudha Sharma, Chairperson, Central Board of Direct Taxes on behalf of
Government of India and H.E. Mr. Larbi Reffouh, Ambassador of the Kingdom of
Morocco to India on behalf of Government of the Kingdom of Morocco.The Protocol
is based on international standards of transparency and exchange of
information. It provides for effective exchange of information including
banking information between tax authorities of the two countries.
5th India – China Strategic
Dialogue Held In Delhi
The 5th India-China Strategic Dialogue was held at New Delhi on 20 August .The
Indian side was led by Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh and the Chinese side was
led by Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin.The two sides discussed several issues
including enhancing understanding on the utilization of trans-border river
waters, expanding bilateral trade and investment while addressing problems of
the large and growing deficit faced by India, ways of maintaining peace and
tranquility along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the India-China border
areas, methods of boosting cultural cooperation as well as people-to-people
exchanges and expansion of scientific and technological cooperation.
India Third Largest Internet
Using Nation
On 21 August According to research firm com Score latest report titled “India
Digital Future in Focus 2013 ” , India with 73.9 million Net users is the world’s
third largest Internet population, overtaking Japan (4th position) but behind
China (First position) and the US. (Second position) Riding on a 31 per cent
year-on-year increase, India’s online population grew to 73.9 million.With an
extended online universe in excess of 145 million the market is at a tipping
point for online businesses.India overtook Japan by adding 17.6 million users
in 2012.
Indians Third Largest Immigrant
Group In US
On 23 August According to the Migration Policy Institute latest study report ,
Indians have emerged as the third-largest immigrant group in the US behind
Mexicans and Chinese, with nearly 1.9 million of them living in the
country.Indian population in the US has grown to over 150 times its size since
1960, when the slightly more than 12,000 Indian immigrants represented less
than 0.5 per cent of the total immigrant population of 9.7 million
immigrants.Till 2011, Indian-born immigrants accounted for almost five per cent
(1.86 million) of America’s 40.4 million immigrants.Almost one-third of all
Indian immigrants resided in just two states- California and New Jersey.More
than a quarter of them lived in three major metropolitan areas- New York,
Chicago and San Jose.Two per cent of all unauthorised immigrants in the United States
were also from India.
India and Iraq Signed Energy
Cooperation Agreement
On 23 August India and Iraq signed an agreement on energy cooperation to boost
the bilateral ties.The agreement was signed along with three other agreements
after comprehensive talks between Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and his
Iraq Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on strategic bilateral, regional and
international issues. Iraq is an important Gulf nation and has emerged as
India’s second largest crude oil supplier after Saudi Arabia.
India Announced Rs 5,000 crore
For Bhutan
On 31 August India announced an aid of Rs 5,000 crore, including a special
package of Rs 500 crore, for Bhutan as part of commitment to its continued
socio-economic development, a move that assumes significance against the
backdrop of unease in the bilateral ties recently. India will contribute Rs
4500 crore towards Bhutan’s 11th Plan, as well as Rs 500 crore towards an
Economic Stimulus Package.The decision was announced after talks in NewDelhi
between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering
Tobgay.
NATIONAL
India Lost 220 Languages In Last
50 Years
On 9 August A two-year survey by Bhasha Research and Publication Centre based
in Vadodara has revealed that India has lost around 20 per cent of its
languages over the last 50 years.Officials of the survey, called the People’s
Linguistic Survey of India (PLSI) has held that the country had 1,100 languages
in 1961 of which 220 have vanished. The survey has found 780 languages and
might have missed another 100, which makes it around 880.The 1961 census had
recorded that India had 1,652 languages in all but the number was narrowed down
to 1,100 later for variants of same languages were also included in the list.
The 1971 census registered only 108 languages for it was decided that only
those languages with over 10,000 speakers will be included.
Rajya Sabha Passed The
‘Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2012 ‘
On 13 August Rajya Sabha passed a bill to make registration of marriages
mandatory.The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2012, which
was passed by Rajya Sabha, seeks to provide compulsory registration of
marriages irrespective of religion. The registration of marriages will not
apply to those who have registered their marriage under any other law.At
present, there is provision for registration of only births and deaths.
Lok Sabha Passed ‘National Food
Security Bill, 2013′
On 26 August Lok Sabha passed the ‘National Food Security Bill, 2013′.The Bill
seeks to give legal rights to get subsidized grains every month to 67 percent of
the overall population (of which 75 percent is rural and 50 percent is urban
population).A beneficiary will be entitled to 5 kg of rice, wheat or coarse
cereals at Rs. 3, Rs. 2 and Re. 1 per kg a month, respectively.The
beneficiaries will be identified by the States based on parameters prescribed
by the Union government.Once the Bill gets its nod in the Rajya Sabha and
President’s accent, India will join the selected league of countries that
guarantee food grants to a majority of its population.
Rajya Sabha Passed ‘The Marriage
Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2010′
On 26 August the Rajya Sabha passed ‘The Marriage Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2010
was passed by voice vote .It seeks to amend the Hindu Marriage Act 1955 and the
Special Marriages Act, 1954 which provides for irretrievable breakdown on
marriage as a ground for divorce as well as grants women the right to a share
in the property of their husbands.Under the new bill, a provision has been made
to restrict the grant of decree of divorce on the ground of irretrievable
breakdown of marriage if the court is satisfied that adequate provision for the
maintenance of children born out of the marriage has not been made consistently
with the financial capacities of the parents.
Lok Sabha Passed ‘Land
Acquisition Bill ‘
The Lok Sabha passed the landmark land acquisition and rehabilitation bill on
29 August 2013 that aims to provide fair compensation to those whose land is
taken, brings transparency to the process and details measures for
rehabilitation of those displaced.The bill, which will now be called, The Right
to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and
Resettlement Bill, 2012, replaced a nearly 120-year-old law enacted during
British rule in 1894.
Companies Bill 2013 Receives
President’s Assent
The new Companies Bill has received President’s assent, that will make it into
a law replacing the nearly six-decade old regulations that govern corporates in
the country.The Companies Bill 2013 received assent from the President Pranab
Mukherjee on 29 August 2013.The Companies Bill 2012 was passed in Rajya Sabha
on 8 August 2013 . Earlier, the bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on 18 December
2012. With the President’s assent, the Companies Bill 2012 became the Companies
Act, 2013 (New Act).The new Bill, providing for sweeping changes in the way
companies operate and are regulated in the country, received Parliamentary
approval earlier this month. It would replace the Companies Act 1956.
STATES
Karnataka Becomes First State To
Establish Calamities Relief Fund
On 5 August Karnataka Government has become the first state in the country to
establish State Natural Calamities Relief fund of Rs. 125 crore.The Relief
Fund will provide for a natural calamities relief fund which would provide for
building capital assets and relief in respect of man-made disasters that are
not covered under the state disaster response fund guidelines of the Government
of India.
First Public Sector Breast Milk
Bank Inaugurated In Kolkata
On 7 August A modern and sophisticated breast milk bank was inaugurated at the
state-run Seth Sukhlal Karnani Memorial Hospital (SSKM) by West Bengal Chief
Minister Mamata Banerjee . This novel scheme was launched to cater to the basic
needs of a child who is just born, but does not get the milk from the mother or
when the mother dies after giving birth to the child.The breast milk bank would
help specially to non-lactating mothers. The stored milk can be used to feed
babies whose mothers fall ill during the six-month lactating period after
pregnancy.
India’s First Cyber Forensic
Laboratory (CFL) Established In Tripura
The first Cyber Forensic Laboratory (CFL) of India was established in Tripura
on 11 August .The lab was established at the Tripura High Court and the purpose
of the lab is to facilitate information related to court cases. The CFL was
inaugurated by Supreme Court judge Justice Madan B. Lokur.
‘Agar-Malwa’ Becomes The 51st
District Of Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh government gave nod to creation of the new district of
Agar-Malwa, taking the number of districts in the state to 51.The district will
come into existence on 16 August.The new district will be created by
bifurcating Shajapur district; it will comprise the tehsils of Agar, Badoud,
Susner and Nalkheda. Headquarters would be at Agar town.Spread over 2,785
square km, Agar-Malwa will have population of 4.80 lakh.
Sonia Sonia Gandhi Launches ‘Food
Security Scheme’ In Delhi
On 20 August Congress president Sonia Gandhi launched the Centre-Sponsored ‘
Food security scheme ‘on the occasion of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s
69th birth Anniversary.Delhi was the first state to implement the scheme.Under
the scheme, a total of 73.5 lakh people will get foodgrain at highly subsidised
rates.The food security programme would provide subsidised grains for 67 per
cent of the population and would see government spending an estimated Rs.
1,25,000 crore to supply 62 million tonnes of grains. Under the scheme,
beneficiaries would get wheat at Rs. 2 a kg, rice at Rs. 3 a kg and coarse
grain at Rs. 1 a kg.Congress party ruled northern states Haryana and
Uttarakhand have also launched this scheme.
Maharashtra Cabinet Approved
Anti-Black Magic and Superstition Ordinance
On 21 August the Maharashtra Cabinet has approved the “Anti-Black Magic and
Superstition Ordinance” after the death of anti-superstition activist Narendra
Dabholkar.The decision was taken by the state cabinet in wake up of the
protests that followed after the murder of Dabhokar in Pune on 20 August
2013.Dabholkar was at the forefront of a campaign to persuade the Maharashtra
government to pass an anti-superstition and black magic bill.
Rajasthan Government Laid
Foundation Stone For World’s Largest Solar Park
On 21 August State Government of Rajasthan laid the
foundation stone for world’s biggest solar park at Bhadla of Jodhpur District
of Rajasthan.The solar park with generation capacity of 3000 MW would be
commissioned in phased manner. In its first phase the solar park will generate
1000 MW.Solar Park would be established in 10 thousand hectare land and Asian
Development Bank (ADB) will provide 3000 crore rupees loan for development of
transmission lines of this solar park.
CONFERENCES
BRICS Business Council Meeting
Held In Johannesburg
The first BRICS Business Council Meeting was held on 19 – 20 August 2013 in
Johannesburg , South Africa.The objective of the meet is aiming to increase the
trade and investment ties between participating economies.The two-day meeting
was attended by the Chairpersons of the respective chapters of the BRICS
Business Council that attended the meeting are: Jose Rubens de la Rosa (Brazil),
Sergey Katyrin (Russian Federation), Onkar Kanwar (India) and MA Zehua
(China).The meeting was chaired by Patrice Motsepe, Chairman of the South
African and BRICS Business Council.In a joint statement following the first
BRICS Business Council meeting ,the council made several recommendations
include’s urging governments to facilitate convenience in expediting multiple
entry business visas for longer periods, as well as considering a proposal to
create a BRICS business travel card ; Enhancing connectivity; and –
Creating a BRICS business portal, which will be facilitated by the BRICS
Business Council Secretariat, among others.The council has agreed to work
together in areas such as infrastructure, mining and mineral beneficiation,
value-added manufacturing development, skills development and sustainable
development.BRICS an acronym for the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South
Africa group of countries.The BRICS Business Council was established during the
2013 BRICS Summit in Durban in March, with South African businessman Patrice
Motsepe named chairman of the body.
Second ASEAN Defence Ministers’
Meeting – Plus Held In Brunei
The 2nd ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus has concluded in Brunei on 29
August .Defense ministers from ASEAN signed a declaration of commitment to
enhance peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region.They committed to adhere
to the principles of equality, mutual respect, mutual benefit and respect for
international laws in the handling of disputes. The defense ministers also
agreed to promote better understanding and confidence-building measures among
defense establishments.ASEAN Defence minister’s meeting firstly convened in
Vietnam’s capital Hanoi on October 12, 2010, the regional event has involved 18
member states, including ministers from the 10 ASEAN nations.ASEAN Defence
Ministers’ Meeting – Plus was established in 2010.This forum is convened every
two years.The third ADMM-Plus is scheduled to be held in Malaysia in 2015.
AWARDS & HONOURS
Malayalam Poetess Sugathakumari
Awarded With ‘ Saraswati Samman 2013 ‘
On 2 August Renowned Malayalam poetess and social activist Sugathakumari has
been conferred with the prestigious Saraswati Samman 2012 for Manalezhuthu (the
Writings on the Sand), a collection of poems in Malayalam.Manalezhuthu was
published in the year 2006.Saraswati Samman Award was instituted by KK Birla
Foundation in 1991.This award is given every year to the literary work in any
Indian language which is the part of Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
US Presidential Medal To Bill
Clinton and Oprah Winfrey
On 8 August Barack Obama, the US President would confer the Presidential Medal
of Freedom on former US President, Bill Clinton and talk show queen, Oprah
Winfrey. It is the highest civilian honour of America.
Indian American Professor
Received Top US Environmental Award
On 16 August An Indian American professor of biological and agricultural
engineering has been recognised by a top US environmental and water resources
institute for his pioneering work in hydrology. Vijay P Singh, professor and
Caroline ; William N Lehrer distinguished chair in the department of biological
and agricultural engineering at Texas A&M University, was named a recipient
of the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award by the American Society of Civil
Engineers Environmental and Water Resources Institute (ASCE-EWRI).Singh is an
internationally recognised and pre-eminent engineer specialising in water
resources engineering and hydrology. His work has developed the application of
kinematic wave theory to the point where it is widely used throughout the world
in hydrologic models used for water resource modelling, flood planning and
hydrologic design.
Harshwanti Bisht Selected For
“Sir Edmund Hillary Mountain Legacy Medal 2013 “
On 12 August Professor of economics, and conservationist, and mountaineer Dr.
Harshwanti Bisht has been selected to receive the “Sir Edmund Hillary Mountain
Legacy Medal 2013″.The award is presented for remarkable service in the
conservation of culture and nature in mountainous regions.In 2003 the Sir
Edmund Hillary Mountain Legacy Medal was initiated by unanimous resolution of
the Namche Conference: Parks, People and Mountain Tourism.
Malala Yousafzai Wins
International Children’s Peace Prize
On 27 August Pakistani school pupil and education activist Malala Yousafzai won
the International Children’s Peace Prize 2013. The peace prize carries a cash
value of 100000 euros (133000 US dollars) which is invested in projects
relating to the winner’s cause. The International Children’s Peace Prize is an
initiative of the Amsterdem-based Dutch KidsRights Foundation. It was launched
in the year 2005 by former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, when he chaired
the Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates in Rome. Since then, the prize has been
awarded every year by a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. The prize is presented
annually to an exceptional child, whose courageous or otherwise remarkable
actions have made a difference in countering problems, which affect children
around the world.
Mandela Is The First Recipient
Of ‘Mahathir Award ‘ For Global Peace
On 27 August Former South African President Nelson Mandela was awarded the
first Lifetime Campaigner for Peace and Freedom of the Mahathir Award for
Global Peace .Current South African President Jacob Zuma received the award on
behalf of Mandela, who is in a critical condition in a hospital in Pretoria.The
Mahathir Award for Global Peace is a peace award instituted by the Mahathir
Global Peace Foundation. The foundation was formed to contribute to worldwide
peace efforts.Mahathir bin Mohamad is a Malaysian politician who was the fourth
Prime Minister of Malaysia. He held the post for 22 years from 1981 to 2003,
making him Malaysia’s longest serving Prime Minister.
SPORTS & GAMES
India Won Bronze Medal at Junior
Women Hockey World Cup
On 4 August Indian Junior Women Hockey team won its first ever Bronze medal in
ERGO Hockey Junior World Cup at Monchengladbac, Germany .India defeated England
by 3-2 in a penalty shoot-out.Indian forward Rani was declared the Best Player
of the ERGO Junior Women Hockey World Cup 2013.The Netherland team won the
final against Argentina and clinched the trophy for a record third time.
Parimarjan Negi Won Politiken Cup
On 4 August Indian Grandmaster Parimarjan won the Denmark’s Politiken Cup
at Copenhagen, Denmark by gaining 9 out of the total possible 10 points. He
defeated the seventh seed, Italian Sabino Brunello in just 31 moves of Ruy
Lopez.
Jadeja First Indian After Kumble
To Top ODI Bowlers’ List
On 4 August Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja became the first Indian bowler to
top the bowlers’ chart in the latest ICC ODI Player Rankings after former
captain Anil Kumble claimed the pole position way back in 1996.Overall, Jadeja
is the fourth India bowler after Kapil Dev (March 1989), Maninder Singh
(December 1987-November 1988) and Kumble to claim the number-one spot in ODIs.
Franklin Wins Record 6 Golds at
World Swimming Championships
On 5 August American swimmer Missy Franklin became the first woman to win six
gold medals at a world-championships.She claimed her record sixth gold medal of
the world championships , swimming the leadoff leg for the Americans in the
400-meter medley relay in Barcelona, Spain.Missy Franklin won four golds and a
bronze at the 2012 London Games, joins American men Michael Phelps and Mark
Spitz as well as German woman Kristin Otto with six golds in either a world or
Olympic competition.Franklin became the winningest female swimmer ever at a
world meet, eclipsing the record that was shared by Tracy Caulkins, who won
five times in 1978, and Libby Trickett, who did it in 2007.
PV Sindhu Won Bronze Medal at
World Badminton Championships
On 10 August Indian shuttler P V Sindhu lost to the Ratchanok Intanon of
Thailand in the semi-final match at the World Badminton Championships at
Guangzhou, China.P V Sindhu now became the only second Indian singles player to
win a medal after Prakash Padukone .Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa had won
the doubles bronze in London in 2011.
World Badminton Championship 2013
Winners
Women’s Singles :- Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon won the women’s
singles title ,after defeated Li Xuerui (China) in the final at the World Badminton
Championships at Guangzhou.This is the first time any shuttler from Thailand
has won a gold at the Worlds in any category.
Men’s Singles :- China’s Lin Dan reinforced his claim to being the
greatest badminton player in history after he defeated arch rival Malaysian Lee
Chong Wei in the World Championship final to become the first man to win five
world singles titles.
Rogers Cup Tennis Tournament 2013
Winners
Women’s Singles :- On 11 August Serena Williams (U.S) won the Rogers
Cup Tennis Tournament Women’s singles title ,after defeated Romania’s Sorana
Cirstea in the final at Montreal (Canada).Serena Williams won the Rogers Cup
women’s title for the third time.
Men’s Singles :- Rafael Nadal (Spain) won his
third Rogers Cup Men’s Singles title , after defeated Canada’s Milos Raonic in
the final.
Marion Bartoli Retires From
Tennis
On 14 August Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli of France announces her
retirement from professional tennis.She announced the retirement after losing
in the second round of the Cincinnati Masters to Romania’s Simona Halep. She is
ranked seventh in the world.Besides Wimbledon 2013, Bartoli won seven other WTA
Tour titles, the first one was in Auckland in 2006. Recently she won two
tournaments both in 2011 at Eastbourne and Osaka, Japan, prior to Wimbledon.
2013 World Championships in
Athletics Winners
The 14th World Championships in Athletics are held in Moscow, Russia from 10–18
August 2013. Russia (17 medals )topped the medal table with seven gold, four
silver, and six bronze medals.The US (25 medals) came in second place at the
event, receiving six gold, 13 silver, and six bronze medals. Jamaica (19 medals
)placed third, with its athletes earning six gold, two silver, and one bronze.
Winners Of The 2013 World
Championships in Athletics :-
* Jamaica’s Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce both won three gold medals
in the men’s and women’s 100 m, 200 m and 4 x 100 m relay respectively to
become the most successful athletes at the event.Usain Bolt moved to the top of
the all-time World Championships medal table by winning three gold medals.It
was Bolt’s second three gold performance at the World Championships.With this
victory Usain Bolt has joined the club of highest (8) gold medal winners list
along with American women’s 200m specialist Allyson Felix, and retired US track
stars Carl Lewis and Michael Johnson including relays.
* Christina Obergfoll of Germany won the women’s javelin title with a throw of
69.05 metres .
* French athlete Teddy Tamgho claimed gold in the men’s triple jump event ,,
with a jump measuring 18.04m.
* In the Men’s 1, 500 metres race Kenyan Asbel Kiprop ( 3min:36.2 sec)
won the gold and Eunice Jepkoech Sum of Kenya won gold in Women’s 800 metres
race (1min :57.38 sec)
* Women’s 10,000 meters Race :- Tirunesh Dibaba (Ethiopia)
*Men’s 10,000 meters Race :- Double Olympic champion Mo Farah of Britain
created history once again in Moscow as he became the first British man to win
a 10,000m world title.The Somalia-born Mo Farah went down in the history books
as just the second man to win the 5000 and 10,000m races at the Olympics and
the world championships.
* Men’s 20 kilometres Walk :- Aleksandr Ivanov (Russia)
* Women’s Marathon :- Kenya’s Edna Ngeringwony Kiplagat becomes the first women
in history to defend her world championship marathon title.
* Shot put :- New Zealand’s Valerie Adams has become the first woman to win
four individual world athletics titles in the same event.
* Men’s 110 metres Hurdles :- David Oliver (USA)
* Men’s 400metres Hurdles :- Jehu Gordon (Trinidad)
* Women’s 400 metres Hurdles :- Zuzana Hejnova (Czech Republic )
* Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva won gold..Yelena Isinbayeva is a
two-time Olympic gold medalist (2004 and 2008), a three-time World Champion
(2005, 2007 and 2013), the current world record holder in the event, who is
widely considered the greatest female pole-vaulter of all time.
Cincinnati Tennis Tournament 2013
Winners
Women’s Singles :- On 18 August Victoria Azarenka of Belarus won the
Cincinnati Tennis Tournament women’s singles title.Azarenka defeated Serena
Williams of the U.S in the final at Cincinnati (U.S )
Men’s Singles :- In the Men’s category Rafael Nadal (Spain) has won
the Cincinnati Tennis Tournament title for the first time.He defeated John
Isner (U.S) in the final.Nadal’s five Masters titles this season are a career
best. He’s tied with Novak Djokovic for most Masters titles in a season since
1990. He’s won seven of the nine Masters events during his career.
Sania Mirza – Jie Zheng pair Won
New Haven Open Title
On 24 August India’s Sania Mirza won the women’s doubles title at the New Haven
Open Tennis tournament along with her partner Jie Zheng of China.Sania and Jie
defeated the pair of Anabel Medina Garrigues (Spain) and Katarina
Srebotnik (Slovenia) in the final at Yale.This is Sania Mirza’s 17th WTA
doubles title and the third Title in 2013.
Australia’s Aaron Finch Hits T20
World Record
Australian batsman Aaron Finch hit a new record in Twenty20 Internationals in
Southampton (England), when he scored 156 runs off 63 balls against England at
Southampton on 29 August.Finch mashed 14 sixes and 11 fours in his innings and
surpassed the previous international record of 123, scored by New Zealand’s
Brendon McCullum.In the process he also became the first Australian to score a
T20 international century.
ECONOMY
Union Cabinet Approved the
Setting up of ‘Bharatiya Mahila Bank ‘
On 8 August the Union Cabinet approved the proposal for setting up of ‘ Bharatiya
Mahila Bank (BMB) ‘ with an initial corpus of Rs 1,000 crore.The proposed bank
will be headquartered in New Delhi.The Mahila Bank will start with 6 branches —
one each in north, south, east, west, central and north eastern part of the
country.The proposed bank is likely to begin operations by November this year.
India Signed Agreement With World
Bank For Low Income Housing Finance Project
On 14 August the government of India and the World Bank signed a $100 million
credit agreement aimed at helping low-income households in Indian cities access
loans to purchase, build or upgrade their dwellings.The Low Income Housing
Finance Project would be implemented by the National Housing Bank (NHB).The
credit agreement for the Low Income Housing Finance Project was signed between
the Government of India, National Housing Bank (NHB) and World Bank in New
Delhi.
Muslims Have Lowest Living
Standard In India
According to the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) study titled
‘Employment and Unemployment Situation Among Major Religious Groups in India’
among various religious groups,Muslims have the lowest living standard in the
country
* According to the survey data , Muslims average per capita expenditure of just
Rs 32.66 in a day.At the other end of the spectrum, Sikh community enjoys a
much better lifestyle as the average per capita spending among them is Rs 55.30
per day, while the same for Hindus is Rs 37.50. For Christians it is Rs 51.43.
* At all-India level, the average monthly per capita expenditure (MPCE) of a
Sikh household was Rs 1,659 while that for a Muslim household was Rs 980 in
2009-10.The average MPCE for Hindus and Christians were Rs 1,125 and Rs 1,543,
respectively.The survey said that average monthly per capita consumption at
all-India level was Rs 901 in villages and Rs1,773 in cities. Overall, the
average MPCE was Rs 1,128.
* Muslims were at the bottom in rural areas, with an average MPCE of Rs 833,
followed by Hindus at Rs 888, Christians at Rs1,296 and Sikhs 1,498.
* In urban areas, Muslims’ average MPCE was also the lowest at Rs 1,272
followed by Hindus at Rs 1,797, Christians Rs 2,053 and Sikhs at Rs 2,180.
Per Capita Income Up 6.7% in
2004-12
On 25 August According to official sources data ,the per capita income in the
country increased 6.7 per cent per annum during 2004-05 to 2011-12, while the
percentage of poor declined by 2.2 per cent over the period.For 2011-12, the
Planning Commission has estimated percentage of people living below the poverty
line at 21.9 per cent.The poverty line in 2011-12 in terms of monthly per
capita consumption expenditure was estimated at Rs 816 in rural areas and Rs
1,000 in urban areas.State-wise, Uttar Pradesh had highest number of people
living below poverty line during 2011-12 at 598.19 people below poverty line
out of every lakh.It was followed by Bihar at 358.15 people (per lakh), Madhya
Pradesh 234.04 people, Maharashtra 197.92 people and West Bengal at 184.98
people living below the poverty line.
27 crore People Live Below
Poverty Line In India
India’s population was estimated at 123 crore as of March 1, 2012, while as
many as 27 crore people lived below the poverty line in 2011-12, Minister of
State for Planning Rajeev Shukla explained in a written reply to Rajya Sabha on
29 August.As per the Population Census of 2011 conduced by the Office of
Registrar General of India, the population in the country was estimated at 121
crore as of March 1, 2011.The poverty ratio in the country has decreased to
21.9 per cent in 2011-12 from 37.2 per cent in 2004-05.The rate of decline
between 2004-05 and 2011-12 is three times faster than experienced between
1993-94 and 2004-05.As per the Millennium Development Goals Report 2013, the
poverty rate in India fell from 49 per cent in 1994 to 42 per cent in 2005 and
33 per cent in 2010.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Australia’s Most Powerful Super
Computer Unveiled
On 1 August Australia’s most powerful supercomputer “”Raijin “” was
unveiled in Canberra.Raijin, named after the Japanese God of thunder and rain,
has costed USD 45.2 million to build and will cost USD 10.85 million a year to
run.The super computer, unveiled at Australian National University (ANU),and it
is the 27th most powerful computer in the world.
India’s DRDO Launches Explosive
Detection Kit In US
On 2 August the India-developed US-manufactured Explosive Detection Kit (EDK)
was launched at the US Chamber of Commerce building in Washington.In a first of
its kind of reverse technology sharing between India and the US, an innovative
Explosive Detection Kit developed by Indian scientists would be manufactured in
America and sold globally for quick detection and identification of
combinations of explosives.This was probably for the first time that technology
developed by Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) was being
manufactured and marketed in the US.
Japan Sends World’s First Talking
Robot Into Space
On 4 August Japan has successfully launched the world’s first talking humanoid
robot called “” Kirobo “” in to space. The robot was sent by H2B rocket
from the island of Tanegashima. The rocket carried food, water and other
supplies. Kirobo will serve as a companion for Japanese astronauts.Kirobo was
put through a series of zero-gravity and other safety tests prior to sending
him into space. Kirobo is 34 centimetres tall and can speak Japanese. It will
provide emotional support for people in space. Kirobo will talk to JAXA
astronaut Koichi Wakata when he arrives at the space station in November. The
name of Kirobo is a merging of Kibo and robot. Kirobo was designed by
scientists and engineers at the University of Tokyo. It is equipped with voice-recognition
and face-recognition technology, as well as a camera, emotion recognition
software and natural language processing.
Japan Unveils Largest Warship
On 6 August Japan has unveiled its biggest warship since the Second World War
as part of a plan to bolster its defense of territorial claims in disputed
waters.The ship, named the “Izumo”, is classified as a helicopter destroyer,
though its flattop design makes it look like an aircraft carrier.The ship is
nearly 250 metres (820ft feet) long and is designed to carry up to 14
helicopters.Japanese Defense Ministry announced the ship is not intended to be
used as an aircraft carrier and will not be used to launch fighter jets.It will
also be used to bolster the nation’s ability to transport personnel and supplies
in response to large-scale natural disasters.
Pinaka Rockets Successfully Test
Fired
On 7 August India successfully test fired two rounds of indigenously developed
“Pinaka” rockets from a multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) from a defence base
in Chandipur-on-sea near Balasore, off the Odisha coast.The tests were routine
trials conducted for training purpose. The tests were conducted by personnel
from Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune unit at Proof
and Experimental Establishment (PXE) firing point-2. Pinaka is an area weapon
system with a range of 40 km.Pinaka system can fire a salvo of 12 rockets in 44
seconds. Ten rounds of Pinaka rockets were tested from the same base on 30 and
31 January and 28 February this year.
‘ INS Arihant ‘ Nuclear Reactor
Activated
On 10 August India has activated the reactor on board the ‘INS Arihant ‘
nuclear submarine, the first to be designed and built in India.With this
success, India became a member of the exclusive club of countries that have
built their own nuclear powered submarines along with Russia, US, UK, China and
France.After the nuclear reactor is activated, INS Arihant has been undergoing
trials at Navy’s key submarine base in Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) and
would be launched for sea trials soon since the nuclear reactor has gone
critical.Nuclear triad has the ability to fire nuclear-tipped missiles from
land, air and sea.Arihant means destroyer of enemies in Sanskrit is an Indian
submarine, which is 111 meter long, 11 broad and 15 meter tall.The 6,000 tonne
vessel was built under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project at the Ship
Building Centre in Visakhapatnam ,at a cost of around Rs 15,000 crore .INS
Arihant, was introduced to the public on 26 July 2009 at a symbolic launch
ceremony by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s wife Gursharan Kaur.India operates
the INS Chakra, which is an Akula II class submarine leased from Russia for ten
years and has plans of building two more nuclear submarines indigenously.
‘ICGS Rajveer ‘ Commissioned
On 10 August Seventh in the series of eight inshore patrol vessels (IPV), ICGS
Rajveer was commissioned at Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) by defence secretary
R K Mathur in the presence of vice-admiral Anurag G Thapliyal, director general
of Indian Coast Guard.The IPV is equipped with the most advanced and
sophisticated navigational and communication sensors and equipment. The ship is
propelled to a maximum speed of 31.5 knots and has an endurance of 1,500
nautical miles. The special feature include an integrated Bridge System,
Integrated machinery control system and an indigenously built 30mm gun mount
with fire control system.
India Launched First Indigenous
Aircraft Carrier ‘ INS Vikrant ‘
India launched its first indigenous aircraft carrier ‘INS Vikrant ‘ on 12
August .Defence Minister A K Antony’s wife Elizabeth launched the 37,500 tonne
carrier ‘INS Vikrant’ at Kochi shipyard.This will mark India’s entry into a
select club of countries capable of designing and building a carrier of this
size. Other countries capable of designing and building an equivalent size ship
are the US, the UK, Russia and France.Fighter aircraft–Mig-29K, Light Combat
Aircraft and Kamov-31 helicopters–will deployed on board the carrier which will
also carry an array of other weapons systems.INS Vikrant has a length of 260
metres and it is 60 metres wide.It is behind schedule by three years.The
carrier is expected to be delivered to the Navy by the end of 2018.
India Successfully Test Fired
Nuclear Capable ‘ Prithvi-II ‘ Missile
On 12 August India has successfully test-fired its indigenously developed
nuclear capable ‘ Prithvi-II ‘ missile from a mobile launcher in salvo mode
from launch complex-3 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at (Odisha)
Chandipur.Prithvi-II missile was launched by the personnel of the Strategic
Force Command (SFC) from ITR’s Launch Complex-III as part of routine user
training. The missile scientists of the Defence Research and Development
Organisation(DRDO) monitored the launch operations.The missile, with a range of
350 km, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
.The missile, 9 metres in height with a launch weight of 4.6 tonnes, is capable
of carrying a warhead of more than 500 kg.The last users trial of Prithvi-II
was successfully carried out from the same base on on December 20, 2012.
Voyager Becomes First Man-Made
Object To Leave The Solar System
According to the new research shows ,NASA’s long-lived Voyager probe crossed
into interstellar space last year, becomes the first man-made object to leave
the solar system.Voyager 1 space craft was launched in 1977 along with a sister
probe, Voyager 2, to observe the outer planets. Voyager 1 is now approximately
120 times farther away from the sun than Earth. Voyager 2 is heading out of the
solar system in a different direction.The probes are powered by the slow decay
of radioactive plutonium. Voyager 1 will begin running out of energy for its
science instruments in 2020. By 2025, it will be completely out of power.
India’s Super Hercules Lands At
Highest Airfield On LAC
The Super Hercules C 130 J transport plane landed at the world’s highest and
recently-activated Daulat Beg Oldie airstrip in Ladakh area of Jammu and
Kashmir for the first time on 20 August .The Daulat Beg Oldie airstrip located
at 16614 feet (5065 metres) in the Aksai Chin area..In April, the area saw a
21-day stand-off between Indian and Chinese troops who came and pitched tents
in the vicinity of the airfield and returned only after several rounds of flag
meetings between both sides.The achievement will enable the armed forces to use
the heavy-lift aircraft to induct troops, supplies, improve communication
network and also serve as a morale booster for maintenance of troops positioned
there.C-130J is capable of lifting upto 20 tonnes of load.
India’s First Defence Satellite
GSAT-7 Launched Successfully
India’s first exclusive defence satellite GSAT-7 was successfully launched by
European space consortium Arianespace’s Ariane 5 rocket from Kourou spaceport
in French Guiana on 30 August.This launch will push ahead India’s maritime
security.GSAT–7 has been built at an expense of 185 crore rupees and will act
as the country’s maiden dedicated spacecraft for defence applications.The
frequency bands of GSAT-7 will help space-based marine communications. It has
coverage over India landmass as well as surrounding seas.Earlier, satellite
communication in ships was through Inmarsat, a major provider of global mobile
satellite communications services.The state-of-the-art satellite carrying
payloads operating in UHF, S, C and Ku bands, had a lift-off mass of 2625 kg
and is based on ISRO’s 2500 kg satellite bus with some new technological
elements, including the antennae.According to ISRO, GSAT-7 is an advanced
communication satellite to provide wide range of service spectrum from low bit
rate voice to high bit rate data communication.Payload of the GSAT–7 is
designed to provide communication capabilities to users in distant oceanic
regions. Its solar arrays generate 2900 W of electrical power.
US Scientists Created the Most
Precise Clock of the World
The National Institute of Standards and Technology Scientist from U.S ,
revealed in the month of August 2013 that they created the most precise clock
of the world. The ticking rate of this clock varies less than two parts in one
quintillion, or ten times better than any clock in the world. The clock is made
up of the element ytterbium. This element can be used for technological
advancements beyond the timekeeping. The clock can be used for various purposes
such as checking temperature, navigation systems as well as magnetic fields.The
co-author of the study which revealed the clock, Andrew Ludlow explained that
the stability of this ytterbium lattice clock paves way for other practical
applications of high-performance timekeeping.
PERSONS IN NEWS
A) APPOINTMENTS
Rajeev Rishi is new CMD of
Central Bank of India
On 1 August Rajeev Rishi took over as the Chairman and Managing Director of
Central Bank of India .His appointment is for a period of five years.Prior to
the new appointment, Mr. Rishi served as the Executive Director of Indian Bank,
since October 2010. Before joining Indian Bank, he was the General Manager of
Oriental Bank of Commerce.Rajeev Rishi, who belongs to Chandigarh, holds a BA
and an LLB and an expert in Banking.
Arundhati Bhattacharya Appointed
Managing Director Of SBI
On 2 August Arundhati Bhattacharya was appointed the managing director and
chief financial officer of the State Bank of India(SBI).She is the first
managing director at SBI, which is India’s largest bank.Arundhati succeeded
Diwakar Gupta.
Hassan Rouhani Sworn In As Iran’s
New President
On 4 August Hassan Rohani was sworn in as the new President of Iran in the
ceremony held at the Iranian Parliament in Tehran.Rouhani is the seventh
(different) President of Iran after the Islamic Revolution of 1979.
Raghuram Rajan Appointed as the
New Governor of RBI
On 6 August Chief economic adviser Raghuram Govind Rajan has been appointed as
the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).Rajan will have a term of three
years.He will be the 23rd Governor of RBI.He is 50 years of age and so far, he
is the youngest person to become the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India.He
was appointed as the youngest-ever Economic Counselor and Director of Research
(chief economist) at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) from October 2003 to
December 2006.Rajan was appointed as Chief Economic Advisor to the Ministry of
Finance, Government of India on 10 August 2012.
Dilip Trivedi is new CRPF chief
On 17 August Senior IPS officer Dilip Trivedi has been appointed as the new
chief of the country’s largest paramilitary force CRPF (Central Reserve Police
Force). Trivedi, a 1978-batch officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre has served in
various positions in the state police and has also served in the Centre as ADG
of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police.He succeeded Pranay Sahay who retired on 31
July 2013.
Michel Djotodia Sworn In As
Central African Republic President
On 18 August Former rebel leader Michel Djotodia was formally sworn in as the
Central African Republic’s President.Djotodia has been in charge of the country
during the chaos that followed the rebels’ seizure of control in March 2013,
when they swept into power from their northern bases, overpowering South
African forces protecting former leader Francois Bozize.Djotodia was a leader
of the Seleka rebel coalition in the December 2012 rebellion; following a peace
agreement, he was appointed to the government as First Deputy Prime Minister
for National Defense in February 2013.
Robert Mugabe Sworn In As
Zimbabwe President
On 21 August Robert Mugabe has been sworn in for a new five-year term as
President of Zimbabwe.Mugabe of Zanu-PF (Zimbabwe African National
Union-Patriotic Front) party won the Presidential election (Parliamentary
Election) by winning 61 percent votes in his favour on 3 August .
Parthasarathi Shome Appointed As
Chairman Of TARC
On 26 August the Union Government of India set up a commission under the
chairmanship of Parthasarathy Shome to review tax laws and suggest ways for a
stable and non-adversarial tax administration.The seven-member Tax
Administration Reform Commission (TARC) will have a 18-month tenure to suggest
various measures including an appropriate organisational structure for tax
governance.
Justice N V Ramana Appointed as
Chief Justice of Delhi High Court
On 30 August Justice Nuthalapati Venkata Ramana, Judge of the High Court of
Andhra Pradesh,was appointed as the Chief Justice of the High Court of
Delhi.Justice Ramana replaced Chief Justice D. Murugesan, who retired in
June.Justice Ramana was appointed as a permanent judge of the Andhra Pradesh
High Court on 27 June 2000.Ramana had enrolled as an advocate in February 1983
and has practiced in the Andhra Pradesh High Court, central and state
administrative tribunals and the Supreme Court.He holds specialisation in
constitutional, criminal, service and inter-state river laws.He has specialized
in Constitutional, criminal, service and Inter-State River laws. He has
functioned as Panel Counsel for various Government organizations.
B)RESIGNS
Egypt Vice President ElBaradei Resigned
Egyptian vice-president, Nobel laureate Mohamed ElBaradei, announced his
resignation in a letter to the interim president on14 August .The resignation
comes after scores were killed in a crackdown by security forces on loyalists
of ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi.
C)DEATHS
Veteran Music Director
Dakshinamoorthy Died
Venkateswaran Dakshinamoorthy, the veteran veteran carnatic musician and music
director died on 2 August in Mylapore, Chennai.The veteran was known as Swamy
in the music industry and gave music to songs of more than 125 films in Tamil,
Malayalam and Hindi.He has to his credit about 859 songs that were composed by
him over seven decades of his service to the world of Music. He debuted as a
Music composer in the a Malayalam movie Nalla Thanka (Nalla Thankal in Tamil)
in 1950.He was the proud recipient of Kerala State Film Award for best music
director in 1971.In 1998, he received the Kerala State Film Award for Lifetime
Achievement.
Former Air Commodore Jasjit Singh
Died
On 4 August Noted strategic analyst Air Commodore (retired) Jasjit Singh died
in NewDelhi. He was conferred with the Padma Bhushan, the second highest
civilian award, in the year 2006 by the former president APJ Abdul Kalam.
Former Union minister Devendra
Prasad Yadav Died
On 11 August Former Union minister and senior Congress leader from Bihar,
Devendra Prasad Yadav, died in NewDelhi.Yadav was a three-time Member of
Parliament from Munger parliamentary seat of Bihar and had served as Minister
of State for Education between 1971-77 in Indira Gandhi’s cabinet.
Renowned Naturalist and
Ornithologist Zafar Futehally Died
On 11 August Zafar Rashid Futehally an Indian naturalist, ornithologist and
conservationist has died on 11 August at Kihim in Maharashtra.Zafar Futehally
led the early years of the conservation movement in India and served as a link
between conservationists and corporate.He was conferred with several national
and international honours, including the Padma Shri in 1970.He also edited and
published an anthology of writings by Indian birdwatchers, “India through its
birds”, which was published in 2007.
Former Nepal Prime Minister Man
Singh Shrestha Died
Former Nepalese Prime Minister Marich Man Singh Shrestha has died in Kathmandu
on 15 August.He had served as Nepal’s Prime Minister for about four years till
April 1990, when the political parties launched an agitation to restore
democratic rights.
Kapil Dev’s Former Coach Desh
Prem Azad Died
On 16 August Desh Prem Azad, the former coach of cricketer Kapil Dev and
Dronacharya awardee died in Mohali.He trained cricketers such as Kapil
Dev, Ashok Malhotra, Chetan Sharma and Yograj Singh in the late 1970s.Desh Prem
Azad represented Haryana, the Maharaja of Patiala’s XI and Southern Punjab,
while playing 19 first-class matches. In these matches, he scored 658 runs
while grabbed 8 wickets in all.
Crime Novelist Elmore Leonard
Died
Elmore Leonard, one of America’s best known crime novelists,has died on 20
August .Twenty-six of his books and short stories have been adapted for the
screen, including “Hombre,” “Get Shorty,” “Jackie Brown,” (based on 1992′s “Rum
Punch”) and “Justified,” a TV shows based on 1993′s “Pronto,” 1995′s “Riding
the Rap” and the 2001 short story ‘Fire in the Hole.” His most recent
novel, “Raylan,” was released in 2012.
Eminent Classical Singer
Raghunath Panigrahi Died
On